Chest
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Randomized Controlled Trial Comparative Study Clinical Trial
Effects of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation on gas exchange and sleep in COPD patients.
The role of nocturnal noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (NPPV) in the treatment of patients with hypercapnic COPD remains controversial. Beneficial effects reported after prolonged use have included an improvement in gas exchange. The purpose of this study was to examine the short-term effects of NPPV on gas exchange and sleep characteristics in patients with hypercapnic COPD and to determine if similar acute changes in gas exchange are associated with improved sleep quality. ⋯ NPPV acutely improved sleep efficiency and TST in patients with hypercapnic COPD without significantly improving gas exchange. Other sleep parameters, including sleep architecture and the number of arousals during the night, remained unchanged during NPPV. These data suggest that the beneficial effects of NPPV in patients with hypercapnic respiratory failure are not solely due to an improvement in gas exchange but may be more complex with other factors potentially having contributing roles.
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Comparative Study
The optimal number of pleural biopsy specimens for a diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy.
To determine the optimal number of pleural biopsy (PLBX) specimens for a diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy. ⋯ The sensitivity of percutaneous needle biopsy for diagnosis of tuberculous pleurisy is highest when more than six specimens are obtained which, on average, contain more than two specimens of parietal pleura. There are no conclusive data indicating how many tissue specimens to submit for mycobacterial culture, but one specimen seems sufficient.
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Comparative Study Clinical Trial
A prospective study of the effect of I.V. pentamidine therapy on ventricular arrhythmias and QTc prolongation in HIV-infected patients.
I.V. pentamidine therapy in HIV-infected patients has been associated in case reports and one uncontrolled prospective series with frequent prolongation of the rate-corrected QT interval (QTc) and a high risk for potentially lethal ventricular arrhythmias, especially torsade de pointes. The aim of this study was to prospectively examine in a controlled manner the effect of I.V. pentamidine therapy on the QT interval and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmias. ⋯ QTc prolongation during therapy with pentamidine in HIV-infected patients is not as frequent an occurrence as has been reported previously. In the absence of QTc prolongation, pentamidine therapy was not associated with a significant increase in PVCs, NSVT, or sustained VT as compared to pretherapy recordings or as compared to therapy with TMP-SMX.
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Comparative Study
The impact of nosocomial infections on patient outcomes following cardiac surgery.
To evaluate the relationship between nosocomial infections and clinical outcomes following cardiac surgery, and to identify risk factors for the development of nosocomial infections in this patient population. ⋯ Nosocomial infections, which are common following cardiac surgery, are associated with prolonged lengths of hospitalization, the development of multiorgan dysfunction, and increased hospital mortality. These data suggest potential interventions for the prevention of nosocomial infections following cardiac surgery that could substantially improve patient outcomes and decrease medical care costs.
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Multicenter Study Comparative Study
A new self-administered questionnaire to monitor health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. Ambulatory Care Quality Improvement Project (ACQUIP) Investigators.
To develop and validate a brief, computer-scannable, self-administered questionnaire to monitor health-related quality of life in patients with COPD. The Seattle Obstructive Lung Disease Questionnaire (SOLQ) consists of 29 items measuring four health dimensions: physical function, emotional function, coping skills, and treatment satisfaction. ⋯ The SOLQ is a reliable, valid, and responsive measure of physical and emotional function, coping skills, and treatment satisfaction. Brief, self-administered, and computer scannable, it is useful in monitoring long-term outcomes among large groups of COPD patients.